Systems and apparatuses for soil and seed monitoring
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsTimothy Kater, Matthew Morgan, Dale M. Koch, Jeremy J. Hodel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system that is able to vary a depth of a row cleaner by adjusting a downforce applied to the row cleaner to promote planting at a desired seed depth and soil moisture.
Claims14
A planting system comprising:
- (a) a row unit;
- (b) a row cleaner disposed on the row unit;
- (c) a monitor or soil monitoring system;
- and
- (d) a soil moisture sensor in communication with the monitor or soil monitoring system, wherein the monitor or soil monitoring system is constructed and arranged to adjust a force applied by the row cleaner in response to signals from the soil moisture sensor.
A row cleaner depth adjustment system for use with a moisture sensor, wherein the depth adjustment system is constructed and arranged to adjust a depth of a row cleaner in response to sensed moisture in order to plant seed in optimal moisture, wherein the depth adjustment system increases the depth of the row cleaner when the moisture sensor detects inadequate moisture, and wherein the depth adjustment system decreases the depth of the row cleaner when the moisture sensor detects adequate moisture.
A row unit comprising:
- (a) an adjustable row cleaner comprising an actuator;
- (b) a moisture sensor;
- and
- (c) a controller in communication with the moisture sensor and the actuator, wherein the moisture sensor is constructed and arranged to send a signal to the controller regarding soil moisture level, and wherein the controller sends an output signal to the actuator which is constructed and arranged to adjust the row cleaner corresponding to the soil moisture level
- wherein the output signal increases adjustable row cleaner depth when the soil moisture level is less than optimal, and
- wherein output signal decreases the depth of the adjustable row cleaner when the soil moisture level is more than optimal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.